The Impacts of Community Radio Stations on National Development; a Case Study of Bo City

Abstract

This study examined the Impacts of Community Radio Stations on National Development, using Bo city as a case study. Findings were generated in line with the general aim which is to investigate the impacts of community radio stations on national development, as well as the following specific objectives: Conceptualization of community radio stations as tool for national development Functions of community radio stations on development policies Influence of community radio stations on public opinions and information dissemination Roles played by community radio stations during COVID-19 pandemic Recommendations on how to mitigate the problems associated with community radio stations The findings affirmed that majority were aware of the concept of community radio stations, and they believed that the stations performed functions such as informing, educating and entertaining the public. Additionally, majority of the respondents were of the view that community radio stations affect public opinions greatly, by influencing their political decisions and their choices towards certain products through advertisement. Thus, it was also revealed that community radio stations played key roles in fighting COV ID-19 pandemic, by reporting or updating the public about COVID-19 cases, providing the opportunity for medical practitioners to discuss issues around the pandemic, and showing pictures and graphics relating to the preventive measures of the pandemic respectively. It was also recommended that the government and other stakeholders should support community radio stations with adequate resources in order to enable them function effectively.The main purpose of community radio is to provide marginalized communities with access to a voice through the broadcasting channel of radio so they can express their concerns, interests and needs, promote and protect their cultures, traditions and heritages and determine their own development. For a community radio station to serve its purpose, members of a community need to be allowed access to participate in the day-to- day activities of a community radio station and have access to relevant information to better their circumstances. In order to obtain access to these resources, certain operational frameworks must be established and maintained.